Sufficient Grace for Suffering Saints

Sufficient Grace for Suffering Saints

The Aroma of Change

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Planner Idea

If you want to download my Planner instead of ordering the print copy, here's a way you can use it.

You can print it out as the 6x9 format, use a paper cutter to cut the pages to size and punch holes and put them in a 6x9 notebook, add tabs and anything else you want to personalize your planner. You might be able to find a zippered book case with handle that will fit your notebook at a 2nd hand store or buy one new.
You can burn it to disk and take it to Staples and have them print it and bind it for you.
What I have done is printed three months worth of weekly pages out using multiple pages and the horizontal and reversed horizontal settings to get the pages back to back the way I want them. This shrinks the pages down a bit so you can crop them real close leaving just enough room on the edge that needs to be hole punched. It's not perfect, but it serves me well...a small Daytimer notebook works great. You can buy used and new Daytimers, if you are patient, at the 2nd hand store. I got a new leather one with a holder for my PDA for $1.80 at St. Vincents De Paul.

The Beginning of Wisdom

Today I have to disagree with the quote of the day.

Quote of the Day
To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.
Bertrand Russell

Consider what the Bible has to say about this:

Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Proverbs 1:7 ¶ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Proverbs 15:33 ¶ The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

So, to conquer fear is not the beginning of wisdom, rather fear is the beginning of wisdom, however it has to be fear of the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:
16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
17 And the way of peace have they not known:
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

In Case of Emergency

Have you ever thought about what would happen if you became ill or injured and could not communicate? What if there are medications you must have to survive? What if there are foods and medications that will make you sicker or cause severe allergic response and there is no one who has this information readily available?

Sit down and the computer and type up all the medications and vitamins and herbs that you take regularly, the dosage and how often you take them. Then type all the foods and medications that cause you trouble and what they do to you. Print this off and give a copy to your husband or other family members to fold up and put in their wallets. Put a copy in your own purse or wallet. Perhaps hang a copy on the refrigerator too. Maybe keep a copy in the car glove boxes.

You never know...it could help to save your life!

Iran

I joined Twitter so I could get current up to date news on the situation over there. I don't know what our media is reporting, but one Tweeter said they are not reporting it accurately. I'm getting messages from citizens over there describing what is happening.

The police are throwing paint on protester's cars and homes so they can come back and hunt them down later. They are trying to block citizens from sending reports via blogs and twitter of what is really happening over there. They are trying to track twitterers down and those with blogs so they can shut them down. Many of the citizens are requesting people of other countries to change the location settings on their Twitter accounts to Iran and their time zones to Iranian time so that it creates confusion for the government when they try to track down those sending reports out of the country via Twitter and Blogs.

Please pray for the citizens of Iran. If you twitter, perhaps you will want to help them by changing your location and time zone settings. Also, get the green overlay on your avatar to show your support of them.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Twittering

I am twittering now...scroll down my side bar and you will see where my twitter updates appear! If I haven't written a post, you can still see what is currently going on with me by following my twitter updates.

COMMON SENSE OBITUARY

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, ‘Common Sense’, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
why the early bird gets the worm;
life isn’t always fair;
and, maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses, and as criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust. His wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility, his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 step-brothers; I Know My Rights; I Want It Now; Someone Else Is To Blame; I’m A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

(This article was first published March 15, 1998 in the Indianapolis Star. It has been reprinted countless times sometimes attributed anonymously. The original author is Lori Borgman.)

Sufficient Grace Publishing

Sufficient Grace for Suffering Saints

The Aroma of Change

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Devotion: My Way or God's Way?

My Way or God's Way?

By Marsha Iddings

Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

God's "work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment."

Matthew Henry says, “His work is perfect:” that of redemption and salvation, in which there is a display of all the Divine perfection, complete in all its parts. All God's dealings with his creatures are regulated by wisdom which cannot err, and perfect justice. He is indeed just and right; he takes care that none shall lose by him."

Because God's work is perfect, our thoughts will not always line up with His. Consider the following:

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

It has been said, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”

I read a devotional today that stated that whatever dream God has put into our hearts He will bring to completion. If it is for healing, or financial turn-around, or a legal dispute to be resolved, God will bring it to completion and finish it because He is the author and finisher of our faith. I have serious questions about this. How do I know that my dream is put there by God and that it's not just my own desires? How do I know that my dream of a particular outcome is what God has planned? Remember, "my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."

God works in perfect wisdom and justice in all His dealings with His children. Sometimes we don't understand what He is doing and feel He is being unjust and unfair, but He is the author and finisher of our faith and will bring to completion the good work that He started in our hearts. It is the work of saving, justifying and sanctifying us so that we are fit for heaven.

Philippians 1:6 tells us, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

What are you confident of? That God will make all your dreams come true or that God will complete the good work that He began in you? The two may not be the same.

Sufficient Grace Publishing

Sufficient Grace for Suffering Saints

The Aroma of Change

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Devotion: Solid Rock

This is #2 in a series on Deuteronomy 32.

by Marsha Iddings

Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

“He is a Rock.” This is the first time God is called so in Scripture. ~Matthew Henry

This metaphor speaks of God's faithfulness and protection. Rocks, actually very large rocks, were used as protection and shade. There were caves in large rocks that people could use as shelter and hiding places from enemies. 1 Kings 18:4 speaks of this: "For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water."

2 Samuel 22:32 also speaks of God being a rock. "For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?"

The Apostle Paul talks about the Rock: 1 Corinthians 10:4 "And did (the Children of Israel) all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."

It is interesting to note that God is called the Rock and Christ is also called the Rock.

Peter said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus replied, " And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock (the rock of Peter’s confession) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

He is our Rock, our place of protection in troubled times. Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His church. In a time when many are not faithful to Him, He will always be faithful to His own. There will always be a remnant who will remain faithful to Him. Are you in that number? Are you finding your protection in the cleft of the Rock?

Sunday, June 07, 2009

Devotion: Can Doctrine be Refreshing?

This is #1 in a series on Deuteronomy 32

By Marsha Iddings

Deuteronomy 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

As I was reading through Deuteronomy 32, I was impressed by how rich that chapter is with doctrine! I was also impressed with the fact that this verse makes doctrine sound refreshing. That is an odd thought in this day when so many are saying that doctrine is old fashioned, and makes divisions in the church.

I plan to spend a few devotions on the doctrine that is in this chapter. I think when we are done you will find that doctrine can be refreshing and comforting, yet at the same time sometimes uncomfortable because it is also convicting.

The first bit of doctrine we see here is in verse 3 which says, "Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God."

The first thing we see here is that our God is great and we are to acknowledge His greatness. We need to recognize Him for Who He is.

As we go further into this chapter we will learn a number of things about God that will show His greatness. We'll learn about Him as the Rock. We'll see that his work is perfect and His ways are judgment. He is a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right. He made us and redeemed us. He kills and makes alive and he wounds and heals.

We'll also look at man in this chapter as well. There are some things to learn about man in comparison to God.

I am looking forward to doing this series of devotionals and pray that we will gain much insight and encouragement from it.

How great is your God? Do you really know Him? Do you study the Bible to learn more about Him? We can not really know Him or His greatness unless we spend time searching it out in study of His Word, the Bible. Therefore, it follows, that if we do not put forth some effort to know Him through the pages of the Bible, that we can not acknowledge His greatness, for we do not know it.

Sufficient Grace Publishing

Sufficient Grace for Suffering Saints

The Aroma of Change

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Are we Really Proud of Sin?

God has an opinion of what President Obama has proudly designated as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual Pride Month (June). Read below:

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 ¶ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

These are pretty harsh words. But it’s not my opinion, it is God’s opinion. From what I read here, God is not pleased when we are proud of sin and President Obama has proudly told the whole world that we as Americans are proud of sin. He is not speaking for me. I hang my head in shame to be called an American that is proud of sin. From what God says, we are on our way to His judgment and wrath. It’s only a matter of time before His patience runs out. I fear for that day.

Sufficient Grace Publishing

Sufficient Grace for Suffering Saints

The Aroma of Change

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

The Next Five Minutes

The Next Five Minutes

This week we return to the Action Email with this question: What will you do with the next five minutes? If you could invest the next five minutes – or three, if you’re quick – in changing the world for generations to come, would you do it?

That’s exactly what we’re asking you to do. Invest just the next five minutes in telling your friends about the Parental Rights Amendment. Below is a message you can use. Send it to your entire email list, post it on Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter (see the attached Tweet). It won’t take long, but the results of passing the Parental Rights Amendment will last beyond our lifetimes, to our children and our children’s children. Protect the freedoms of our next generations – with five minutes of your time.

The Message

A parent’s right to raise their children as they see fit is a time-honored American tradition, but today it is being threatened. The Supreme Court’s Troxel v. Granville decision in 2000 undermined a 75-year heritage of Constitutionally-protected, fundamental parental rights, which 8 of the 9 justices abandoned. At the same time, a growing body of international law fuels activist judges to legislate foreign standards from the American bench, while treaties such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child would subject parental decisions to government oversight and international review.

Rep. Pete Hoekstra (MI-2) has proposed HJR-42, the Parental Rights Amendment, to stop the erosion of parental rights in American courts while simultaneously defending our laws from international invasion. Please, visit parentalrights.org to learn more about the Amendment, and to join their email network by signing the petition to protect parental rights.

Tweet

http://tr.im/lmoH Parental rights are at risk from our courts and international law. HJR 42 amends the Constitution to protect these rights.

(A “Tweet” is a message of 140 or fewer characters, for use on Twitter.)

Now, Go!

You’ve got the message. Now, take five minutes to pass it on. If you’re sending an email, cut and paste the content under “The Message” into the body of your email and send it on. For Twitter, just cut and paste our Tweet into your Twitter account. You might also call your friends and loved ones by phone – but get the message to as many as you can. You’ve got five minutes – starting now!

Sufficient Grace Publishing

Sufficient Grace for Suffering Saints

The Aroma of Change